Heddle frame



J. J. KAUFMANN Sept. 1, 1931.

HEDDLE FRAME Filed Feb. 24. 1930 fl lu mm m lie Patented Sept. 1, 193 1 UNH'ED STATES PATENT orrice JOHN JACOB KAUFMANN, OF ELKINS PARK, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO STEEL HEDDLE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF BHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A COR- PORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA HEDDLE FRAME Application filed February 24, 1930. Serial No. 480,474.

My invention relates to heddle frames for looms, and it relates more particularly to improved means, in'a heddle frame of the usual type, for supporting the heddle bars inter- V mediate their ends.

heddle supporting bars will be properly positioned and the heddles will not bind thereon, nor, on the other hand, be permitted too great an up and down movement thereon.

My present invention further contemplates an improved form of supporting device in Q which a relatively large bearing surface'will be provided for the heddle supporting bars, and in which said bars will be held against movement under proper spring tension, whereby Wear on the bars the points of support will be reduced to a minimum.

My present invention further contemplates certain improved details of construction, whereby the device will be rendered more durable and eficient.

The nature and characteristic features of my invention will be more readily understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which Figure 1 is an elevational view of a heddle frame provided with heddle bar supporting devices embodying the main features of my present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section taken approximately on the line 2 -2 of Fig. 1, the parts being shown in the normal positions assumed whilesupporting the heddle bars;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation illustrating one of the supporting devices, the same being shown in conjunction with a portion of the rail of the heddle frame in which it is mounted;

Fig. 4: is a view similar to Fig. 2, but looking from the opposite side and with the parts p in the open position for the purpose of re- 5 moving the heddle bars therefrom or mounting the same therein;

Fig. 5 is a vertical central section of one of the supporting devices, the parts being shown in the open position;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a bolt member forming a component part of the device, the other parts being removed therefrom; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a slidable lockin g member constituting one of the component parts of the device.

It will, of course, be understood that the drawings and description herein contained. 1 are illustrative merely, and that various mod- 7e ifications and changes may be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of myinvention.

Referring to the drawings, the heddle frame there shown comprises top and bottom rails 10. connected at their endsby means of side strips 11. Extending from end to end of theheddle frame, and arranged near the top and bottom rails 10, are theheddle bars 12, on which the heddles 13 are mounted in .the usual manner.

The devices comprisingthe novel portion of the present invention are mounted at suitable locations on the inner edges of the top and bottom rails 10. Each of these devices, as shown in the drawings, includes a bolt member 20 having a shank 21, the end of which is threaded as at 22, in a manner similar to that of an ordinary wood screw, with the exception that the same is not tapered the greater portion of its length.

The bolt member 20 is also provided with a head portion 23. preferably made by flat tening and spreading the material of the rod from which the bolt member is formed. Toward the end of the flattened head portion of the bolt member 20, there are provided shoulders 24. a

On each side of the flattened head portion 23 of the bolt member 20 there is mounted a I plate 30. The plates 30 may be secured to the head portion 23 of the bolt member 20 by means of rivets 31, or other suitable fastening devices.

Each of the plates 30 provided with recesses 32. The recesses 32 are of slightly greater width than the width of the heddle supporting bars 12 which are adapted to be mounted therein, and the surfaces thereof upon which the heddle supporting bars 12 rest form continuations of the corresponding surfaces of the head portion 23 of the bolt member 20, as well as the shoulders 24 thereof.

A slidable locking member 10 is mounted on the bolt member 20, being so shaped as to provide a horizontal portion 411 having an aperture 42 complemeutal to the shank of the bolt member 20. The slidable locking member 40 is also provided with ver 'ical legs 43, straddling the head portion 23 of the bolt member 20.

The leg portions 43 of the slidable locking member 40 are guided between the plates 30 which are secured to the head portion 23 of the bolt member The lower end of each of the leg portions 4 3 is provided with a lip 44, which is adapted to extend down over the outside of the heddle supporting bar 12.

A coil spring 50 is mounted on'the shank 21 of the bolt member 20. The coil spring 50 bears at one end against the horizontal por tion 41 of the slidable locking member 450, and bears at its other against struck up portions 25. The struck up portions 25, being integral with the shank 21 of the bolt member 20, will thereby be fixedly located, so that the tension of the spring 50 will not be varied when the bolt is adjusted in the rail 10. For the same 1? ason. the rail 10 is provided with recess 15 of sufficient depth so that the spring 50 will not bear against the inner surface thereof.

By the foregoing arrangement, relatively broad bearing surfaces will be provided for the heddle bars, these surfaces being of an extent corresponding to the thickness of the head portion 23 of the bolt member 20, plus the thickness of the two plate members 30 which are secured thereto. By this arrangement wear on the heddle bars the points of support wil be reduced to a minimum.

It will also be noted that the slid able locking member bears against the heddle bar at all times, so that movement of the same in the supporting device the shedding takes place will be minimized, in this manner also reducing wear on the heddle bars.

Should it be found. at any time that the heddle bars 12 are so located that undue tension is placed upon the heddles, whereby the same will bind upon the heddle supporting bars, or, on the other hand, should it be fou d that the heddle supporting bars are so positioned that the heddles ar permitted too much up and down movement in the frame, proper adjustment of the device for supporting the heddle bars may be made by first removing the heddle bar from the supporting device, and then threading the bolt in and out with respect to the rail 10 in which it is mounted, until the head portion 23 of the bolt member 20 is properly located. Such adjustment, however, will not vary the tension of the springs 50.

I claim:

1. In a heddle frame, means for supporting the heddle bars intermediate their ends comprising a bolt member adjustably mounted in the heddle frame rail, said bolt member having a flattened head port-ion, plates secured on each side of the flattened head portion of the bolt, said plates having recesses in which the heddle bars are adapted to be seated, and a slidablelocking member mounted upon the bolt member having leg portions straddling the flattened head portion thereof and guided between the plate members, the leg portions of said slidable locking member having lips extending over the outside of the hedc le bars when said member is in the locking position.

2. In a heddle frame, means for supporting the heddle bars intermediate their ends comprising a bolt member adjustably 1nount ed in the heddle frame rail, said bolt member having a flatten-ed head portion, plates secured on each side of the flattened head portion of the bolt, said plates having recesses in which the heddle bars are adapted to be seated, a slidable locking member mounted upon the bolt member having leg portions straddling the flattened head portion thereof and guided between the plate members, the leg portions of said slidable locking member having lips extending over the outside of the heddle bars when said member is in the looking position, and a spring for impelling the slidable locking member to the locking position.

In a heddle frame, means for supporting the heddle bars intermediate their ends comprising a bolt member adjustably mounted in the heddle frame rail, said bolt memher having flattened head portion provided with shoulders upon which the heddle bars are adapted to be seated, plates secured on each side of the flattened head portion of the bolt, said plates having recesses in which the heddle bars are adapted to be seated, the bearing surfaces of said recesses correspon ding to the bearing surfaces of the flattened head portion of the bolt member, a slidable locking member mounted upon the bolt member having leg portions straddling the flattened head portion thereof and guided between the plate members, the leg portions of said slidable locking member having lips extending over the outside of the heddle bars when said member is in the locking position,

and a spring for impelling the slidable locking member to the locking position.

4:. In a heddle frame, means for supporting the heddle bars intermediate their ends comprising a bolt member threaded directly into the heddle frame rail, said bolt member having a flattened head portion, plates secured on each side of the flattened head portion of the bolt, said plates having recesses in which the heddle bars are adapted to be seated, a slidable locking member mounted upon the bolt member having leg portions straddling the flattened head portion thereof and guided between the plate members, the leg portions of said slidable locking member having lips extending over the outside of the ie'ddle bars when said member is in the looking position, and a spring for impelling the slidable locking member to the locking position.

5. In a heddle frame, means for supporting the heddle bars intermediate their ends comprising a bolt member threaded directly into the heddle frame rail, said bolt member having a flattened head portion provided with shoulders upon which the heddle bars are adapted to be seated, plates secured on each side of the flattened head portion of the bolt, said plates having recesses in which the heddle bars are ada ted to be seated. the bearing surfaces of said recesses corresponding to the bearing surfaces of the flattened head portion of the bolt member, and a slidable locking member mounted upon the bolt member having leg portions straddling the flattened head portion thereof and guided between the plate members, the leg portions of said slidable locking-member having lips extending over the outside of the heddle bars when said member is in the locking position.

6. In a heddle frame, means for supporting the heddle bars intermediatetheir ends comprising a bolt member threaded directly into the heddle frame rail, said bolt member having a flattened head portion provided with shoulders upon which the heddle bars are adapted to be seated, plates secured on each side of the flattened head portion of the bolt, said plates having recesses in which the heddle bars are adapted to be seated, the bearing surfaces of said recesses corresponding to the bearing surfaces of the flattened head portion of the bolt member, a slidable locking member mounted upon the bolt member having leg portions straddling the flattened head portion thereof and guided between the plate members, the leg portions of said slidable locking member having lips extending over the outside of the heddle bars when said member is in the locking position, and a coil spring mounted on the bolt member for impelling the slidable locking member to the locking position.

7. In a heddle frame, means for support ing the heddle bars intermediate their ends comprising a bolt member threaded directly into the heddle frame rail, said bolt member having a flattened head portion provided with. shoulders upon which the heddle bars are adapted to be seated, plates secured on each side of the flattened head portion of the bolt, said plates having recesses in which the heddle bars are adapted to be seated, the bearing surfaces of said recesses corresponding to the bearing surfaces of the flattened head portion of the bolt member, a slidable locking member mounted upon the bolt member having leg portions straddling the flattened head portion thereof and guided between the plate members, the leg portions of said slidable locking member having lips extending over the outside of the heddle bars when said member is in the locking position,

and a coil spring mounted on the bolt member, said coil spring bearing at one end a against the slidable locking member and the bolt member having a fixedly located extension against which the other end of said coilspring bears.

8. In a heddle frame, means for supporting the heddle bars intermediate their ends comprising a bolt member adjustably mounted in the heddle frame rail, said bolt member having a flattened head portion provided with shoulders upon which the heddle bars are adapted to be seated, plates secured on each side of the flattened head portion of the bolt, said plates having recesses ,in which the heddle bars are adapted to be seated, the bearing surfaces of said recesses corresponding to the bearing surfaces of the flattened head portion of the bolt member, and a slidable locking member for retaining the heddle bars in said recesses.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

JOHN JACOB KAUFMAN N. 

